October 1997

Various ArtistsBlue Break BeatsBlue Note Records

Don't judge Blue Break Beats (Blue Note 7243-8-54360-2-4 72:42) by its title. Sure, there are plenty of the funky rhythm nuggets that have made the classic soul jazz catalog a gold mine for hip-hop beatminers-snippets of these selections have been made famous by artists ranging from Brand Nubian to the Beastie Boys to De La Soul. But as good as the game of "find the sample" is (the introduction to Lou Donaldson's version of "It's Your Thing" should have old school fans slapping their foreheads in recognition) these cuts are best taken whole. Which goes without saying, given the presence of artists like Cannonball Adderley, Donaldson and Jackie McLean. Everyone should find at least one groove here to get off on-check Gene Harris' version of Sly's "Don't Call Me Nigger Whitey" as well as Joe Williams with Thad Jones and The Mel Lewis Orchestra's "Get Out of My Life Woman."